TOWNSVILLE, Australia (24 Apr 2006) -- According to attorney Bob Austin Gabe Watson nearly drowned himself trying to save his bride of 11-days during their tragic honeymoon in Australia in October 2003. The lawyer says the couple found themselves in strong currents while on a group expedition to a sunken ship. Austin relates the story as Gabe Watson shared wife's last moments, "It got so rough that apparently Christina panicked and she was grasping at him and pulled his mask off." Austin goes on to says that Gabe Watson was blind and without air forcing him to surface and call for help as Christina Watson was whisked away in a heavy current. Austin says the Watson's were not properly briefed on the conditions of the water prompting an investigation by Australia's Workplace Safety and Health Agency into "Mike Ball Dive Expeditions." MBDE is the company which led the group dive to the Yongala. Austin says, "They're checking into what the circumstances were. Were safeguards implemented? Were they followed and there hasn't been a final report on that yet." And now time's running out for Gabe Watson to take legal action. Austin says there is a 3 year statute in Australia for bringing an action for wrongful death against a company for negligence. The window closes for good October 22nd. But MBDE has maintained since day one that Watson's death is not their fault. | | INVESTIGATION: Townsville police question passengers, crew onboard Mike Ball 'Spoil Sport' in 2003 after Tina Watson died on the Yongala wreck. General Manager Stan Kielbaska states during an October 2003 interview with The Townsville Bulletin that the couple was briefed for 25-minutes on the current conditions and how to navigate it. He goes on to say that Christina Watson was even offered an orientation dive prior to the incident. But Gabe Watson is firm in his belief that those conditions were too much for novice divers like his wife. He says had known ahead of time he wouldn't have gone in himself, let alone allow Christina in with her limited experience. Austin says Watson does have regrets, "I know he wishes he had questioned the dive master about the circumstances and maybe not trusted someone else. But I think he's done everything he should have done." SOURCE - WIATSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
